BREAKING: The CSU Rams faced their first defeat of the season in a nail-biting finish against the Denver Pioneers, falling 83-81 on Friday at Moby Arena. Despite a late-game opportunity to steal the win, Josh Pascarelli’s last-second three-pointer missed its mark, leaving CSU with a 4-1 record.
The Rams struggled with their shooting, managing just 79.5% from the free-throw line and 44.4% from beyond the arc. CSU was poised to secure victory but ultimately fell short in a back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Trailing 41-33 at halftime, the Rams came out strong in the second half, launching a 12-2 run that tied the game at 45 with 15:36 remaining. Kyle Jorgensen’s three-pointer sparked the momentum, but the Pioneers quickly answered, regaining the lead and maintaining pressure throughout the second half.
The game turned intensely competitive as the teams exchanged leads. With just 43 seconds left, CSU narrowed the gap to 80-79 after Carey Booth sank two free throws. However, missed opportunities plagued the Rams, including a missed layup by Jevin Muniz that could have shifted the momentum.
As the clock wound down, the Pioneers led 83-81 when CSU called a timeout with only 2.3 seconds remaining. In a desperate attempt to clinch the win, Pascarelli’s three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, sealing the Rams’ first loss of the season.
Jorgensen shined as he led the Rams with 29 points, marking his third career high in just five games. Booth contributed 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Brandon Rechsteiner added 11 points. The Rams initially took control, scoring the first points of the game and leading by as much as 19-11 in the first half.
The Pioneers’ Carson Johnson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to extend Denver’s lead to 41-33 at halftime, setting the stage for a fierce battle in the second half. CSU’s next challenge comes on Wednesday against Virginia Tech in the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Fans and players alike are left reeling from this close call, as the Rams look to rebound and improve in their upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more updates as CSU aims to bounce back from this heartbreaking loss.
